Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of the privileges of being the Member for Hay River North is having the opportunity to rise in this House and acknowledge the contributions of the many residents and organizations who give freely their time to help make Hay River the great community that it is.
Today, it is my pleasure to tell you about the good work being done by the members of the Catholic Women's League of Assumption Catholic Church in Hay River. The parish council in Hay River is part of the Catholic Women's League of Canada, a national organization which is rooted in Christian values and which calls upon its members to serve God by serving others.
The members of the Catholic Women's League are tireless fundraisers and volunteers, and they contribute to a number of good causes.
The league's main annual fundraiser is a Mother's Day tea and raffle which is always well attended. I am telling you this now, Mr. Speaker, so that you and all of my colleagues in this House can get your tickets early and join us for tea in Hay River this May.
The league provides funds to Hay River schools to support the breakfast program, which helps get students to school and make sure they are able to learn. The league makes a monthly donation to the Hay River Soup Kitchen, which, unfortunately, struggles to meet a growing demand.
At Christmastime, the Catholic Women's League is very busy. Members provide a Christmas donation to the Family Support Centre and give gifts and quilts to our residents in long-term care facilities. They are also active internationally and sponsor a child through the Hay River-based charity which provides tuition and supplies so that children in Ghana can attend school.
These are just a few of the ways that the league supports our community. Many of the members are also active volunteers outside of the league, as well. Their overall contribution is beyond measure. Included among the 60 members are co-presidents Shirley Gutierrez and Dee Dee Lepine and board members Sheila Ryan-Hachey, Teresa Swallow, Sylvia Boyer, Marilyn Green, Liz Buckley, Doris Cadrone, Tessie Gonzalez, Rosa Loutit and Yvonne Maurice.
I want to thank all members of the Catholic Women's League of Assumption Catholic Church in Hay River for all they have done and continue to do for our community. Mr. Speaker, I have said before that Hay River is a beautiful place to live. It is safe to say that its natural beauty is rivalled only by the beautiful hearts of the giving and caring people who call it home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.